Exams are looming, and while cramming isn’t the best way to study, sometimes it’s your only option. If you’re facing an exam soon, let’s explore some scientifically-backed strategies to make the most of your limited time. While you might not master the material, you can certainly boost your short-term memory.
One ancient method to enhance memory is the Memory Palace technique, which dates back to 80 B.C. This involves associating the information you need to remember with familiar locations, such as rooms in your house. For instance, you could link glycolysis with your living room and ketogenesis with your kitchen. By mentally walking through your house, you can recall the information associated with each room. This technique leverages our strong visual and spatial memory, making it a powerful tool for memorization.
Mnemonic devices are another effective way to memorize complex information. For example, to remember the Krebs Cycle, create a sentence using the first letter of each product. Rhymes and songs can also be helpful. Research shows that the more unusual these mnemonics are, the better they work for memory retention.
Many students rely on rereading notes and textbooks, but studies suggest this isn’t effective. Research indicates no significant difference in performance between students who reread material and those who read it once. So, save your time and energy for more productive study methods.
Exams can be stressful, and stress can hinder your ability to recall information. When stressed, your body releases cortisol, which affects the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory. To combat this, practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques to keep stress at bay.
One of the best ways to prepare for an exam is through practice tests. This method is scientifically proven to enhance memory recall, even under stress. By simulating exam conditions, you can improve your performance and reduce anxiety.
If you’re feeling distracted, try a quick workout. Research shows that a 15-minute exercise session can significantly boost memory performance. Even a short walk can help clear your mind and improve concentration.
Reflect on your personal study habits and identify what works best for you. This process, known as meta-cognition, is crucial for effective learning. If you know that studying alone is more productive for you, prioritize solo study sessions over group cramming.
Consider whether you’re cramming because you lack knowledge or just refining what you already know. If you’ve studied well, prioritize sleep. Sleep is vital for memory retention, and even a short nap can be beneficial. Interestingly, a study found that sleeping on a gently rocking bed can enhance sleep quality and memory performance.
If you want to avoid cramming in the future, consider exploring resources like The Great Courses Plus. This service offers a vast library of over 11,000 video lectures on various topics, taught by top professors worldwide. For brain optimization tips, check out “Optimizing Brain Fitness” by Professor Richard Restak, which covers enhancing memory and peak performance strategies.
For more science tips and educational content, subscribe to weekly updates from AsapSCIENCE. Happy studying, and good luck on your exams!
Engage in a group activity where you create a Memory Palace together. Choose a familiar location, like a university campus, and assign different concepts to various landmarks. Share your palaces with each other and practice recalling the information by mentally walking through the location.
Challenge yourself to develop unique mnemonic devices for complex topics. Work in pairs to create rhymes, songs, or sentences that help you remember key information. Present your mnemonics to the class and vote on the most creative and effective ones.
Participate in a guided relaxation session to learn stress management techniques. Practice deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help reduce exam anxiety. Discuss how these techniques can be integrated into your study routine to improve focus and memory retention.
Organize a practice test session with your classmates. Create a mock exam based on your course material and simulate exam conditions. After completing the test, review your answers and discuss strategies for improving performance under pressure.
Incorporate short exercise sessions into your study schedule. Plan a 15-minute group workout or a brisk walk around campus to boost your memory and concentration. Reflect on how physical activity affects your focus and retention during study sessions.
This episode is supported by Great Courses Plus. Cramming isn’t the ideal way to study for an exam, but you’re here, likely with an exam tomorrow or in a few hours, so let’s focus on optimizing your time. How do you effectively cram for your exam? You might not be able to learn a lot, but you can store a bunch of information into your short-term memory.
Try using the ancient technique of the Memory Palace, which dates back to 80 B.C. This technique involves associating ideas you want to memorize with memorable places, like your home. For example, you might store glycolysis in your living room and ketogenesis in the kitchen. Then, you can mentally travel through your house to recall each room. Those who create Memory Palaces perform significantly better on tests than those who don’t. This is because our visual and spatial memory is quite strong, and connecting information to existing memories proves extremely effective.
You should also try mnemonic devices wherever possible. If you’re trying to memorize the Krebs Cycle, take the beginning of each product and make a sentence out of it! You can also create rhymes or songs. This method has been proven in several studies as a way of committing information to memory, and the weirder you make them, the better!
Now, does your exam prep include rereading your notes and textbook? You’re not alone, but you should cut it out! A study found no significant differences in performance between groups that reread a text and those who read it only once, suggesting that rereading provides no clear benefit.
While we know exams are stressful, it’s important to put some energy into de-stressing while studying and during your exam. Stress causes your body to release adrenaline, increases your heart rate, and can make you sweat. About 20 minutes after feeling stressed, your body undergoes a delayed stress response, releasing the hormone cortisol. Cortisol binds to receptors on the hippocampus, which is responsible for turning short-term memories into long-term memories. When cortisol binds to the hippocampus, it impairs memory retrieval. Therefore, if you are stressed, you will have a more difficult time recalling information during an exam. So take some deep breaths!
Just “turning off” stress is easier said than done, which is why you need a study technique that is stress-proof. Scientists recommend testing yourself! Practice tests are a scientifically supported means of improving memory recall and stand up to stressful situations. Studies have found that individuals who used practice tests performed as well on tests in stressful situations as those who didn’t experience stress.
Feeling distracted? Try a mini workout! Studies show that those who’ve worked out for 15 minutes and then completed a memory task performed significantly faster than those who hadn’t exercised. Even a simple walk can make a difference.
You also need to think about how you personally study best! Meta-cognition is the analysis of one’s own learning or thinking processes. Studies have found that students with poor meta-cognitive skills perform worse on tests. So look inward on ways you have been effective before and implement those strategies. If you know that studying solo works best for you, skip out on the cramming session with your classmates—it’s crunch time after all!
There’s also an important distinction to make: are you cramming late into the night because you know very little about the topic for your upcoming exam, or are you hoping to perfect an already strong base of knowledge? If you’ve already studied, GO TO SLEEP! Research concludes that sleep is essential for memory retention. If you can spare a few minutes to sleep, consider rocking. A recent study found that participants who slept on a bed engineered to gently rock were able to fall asleep more quickly, sleep more deeply, and perform better on memory tests the next morning.
Of course, if you want to avoid cramming next time and get ahead, or even just learn something completely new, be sure to check out our sponsor, The Great Courses Plus, a subscription on-demand video learning service with lectures and courses from top professors from around the world! Looking for more tips to get the most out of your mind? We recommend “Optimizing Brain Fitness,” taught by Professor Richard Restak, which includes 12 lectures on how to feed your brain, enhance your working memory, and practice for peak performance.
With a library of over 11,000 video lectures on a variety of topics, it’s an amazing service. The Great Courses Plus is giving our viewers a FREE trial. You can show your support for AsapSCIENCE by visiting TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/ASAPScience. Use the link in the description below to start your free trial today. And subscribe for more weekly science videos every Thursday!
Memory – The cognitive process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information. – Researchers are studying how sleep affects memory consolidation in students.
Technique – A systematic procedure or method applied to accomplish a specific task or solve a problem. – Cognitive-behavioral therapy employs various techniques to help individuals manage anxiety.
Mnemonic – A tool or strategy used to enhance memory retention and recall. – The mnemonic “PEMDAS” helps students remember the order of operations in mathematics.
Stress – A psychological and physiological response to perceived challenges or threats. – Chronic stress can negatively impact both mental and physical health, leading to various disorders.
Testing – The process of assessing knowledge, abilities, or performance through structured evaluations. – Frequent testing can improve long-term retention of information by reinforcing learning.
Exercise – Physical activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. – Regular exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce symptoms of depression.
Habits – Regular practices or routines that are often performed unconsciously. – Developing good study habits is crucial for academic success and effective learning.
Sleep – A natural, reversible state of rest characterized by reduced consciousness and decreased sensory activity. – Adequate sleep is essential for cognitive processes such as attention, memory, and problem-solving.
Learning – The process of acquiring new knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences. – Active learning techniques, such as group discussions, can enhance student engagement and understanding.
Performance – The execution or accomplishment of a task or function, often measured against a standard. – Stress management techniques can improve academic performance by reducing anxiety and enhancing focus.
